Vehicle air conditioning device

ABSTRACT

A vehicle air-conditioning device having at least one control element which supplies a prescribed value to the air-conditioning control unit, a state of flow being provided by an air speed and a degree of turbulence of the air, which can be influenced by the strength of the fan, distribution of air to the discharge nozzles, the discharge direction to the discharge nozzles and further actuators which have an effect on the state of flow, and a thermal state is provided by the temperature distribution and effect of radiation in the vehicle interior. Provision is made for the at least one control panel to be used to prescribed a state of flow desirable for the occupant and a thermal state.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the priority of German Application No. 100 37066.7, filed Jul. 20, 2002 and PCT International Application No.PCT/EP01/08025, filed Jul. 11, 2001, the disclosures of which areexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning device.

Vehicle air-conditioning devices are controlled by the driver via acontrol unit having a plurality of control elements. It is frequentlypossible to set both an automatic operating state and variousindividual, manually selectable operating states. In the automaticoperating state, the air distribution is set by a program which isstored in a microprocessor and generally also takes into accountexternal influences, in addition to the selected interior temperature.With the individually selectable operating states it is possible for thedriver to match the supply of air to his specific wishes andrequirements. For this purpose, a plurality of selection possibilitiesfor the air distribution are prescribed, in conjunction with special fansettings, if appropriate. In order to set individual components, forexample the fan, a control element can be provided for each component.This control element supplies a prescribed value as the manipulatedvalue for the component. The air-conditioning device regulates thecomponents automatically in accordance with the conditions which theindividual sensors prescribe. If the user of the vehicle does not findthe automatic mode which has been set to be pleasant, he can intervenein the automatic mode via the control elements.

It is a disadvantage of this type of air-conditioning device that itcontains all of the control elements of a known air-conditioning device,which elements in each case individually regulate one unit. If the userfinds the fan to be too strong, he will turn down the fan regulatorcontrol element. This deactivates the automatic mode for the fan.However, since different users also have different desires concerningthe strength of the air flow, this may lead to a permanent deactivationof the automatic function. The other components retain their automaticsetting, so that only little air mass flow passes into the vehicle andthe required heating up or cooling takes longer as a result. In order tospeed up the heating up or cooling again, the other components may haveto be set differently. For this purpose, the operator has to re-set thecorresponding control element for the heating or cooling. The variouscontrol elements are confusing, since they each regulate the individualcomponents. The operator requires a large number of controlinterventions in order to set the air-conditioning device for hisrequirements. Only after a phase of familiarization are fewer controlinterventions necessary.

The object of the present invention is to simplify the control of anair-conditioning device and to better accommodate the air-conditioningdevice to the requirements of the user.

This is a substantial advantage of refinements according to the presentinvention that a provided control element supplies a prescribed valuefor the selection of an automatic program. This control elementdescribes a value which is clear for the operator. Thus, for example,the draught sensitivity can be set at the control element. If the userspecifies a strong draught sensitivity, an automatic program is selectedvia the prescribed value, which program reduces the fan and ore stronglydrives the heating or cooling unit, for example. This automatic programthen prescribes an optimum setting of all of the components. Thisautomatic setting of all of the units is advantageous particularly inthe case of vehicles having actuating nozzle adjustment, since thenozzles are automatically adjusted by the selected automatic programmein such a manner that, for example the draught load on the occupant isas small as possible without too severely obstructing the removal ofheat from the cabin. The fan strength is therefore retained and the airis guided past the occupant. With this nozzle, which can be adjustedwith regard to air quantity and blow-out direction, the controlinterventions can even be omitted or at least severely minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to anexemplary embodiment in conjunction with a description of the figures.In the drawings

FIG. 1 shows an air-conditioning device,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an air-conditioning controlunit,

FIG. 3 shows two control elements, and

FIG. 4 shows a possible characteristic diagram for the setting of themanipulated variables.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an air-conditioning device 10 for vehicles. Theair-conditioning device 10 is situated below the dashboard 11 andcontains an air intake fan 12 driven by an electric motor, a refrigerantevaporator 13 for cooling and/or dehumidifying the air flow 14 taken inby the fan, a heating heat exchanger 15 which is connected downstream, arecirculating-air flap 16 for controlling the optional intake of freshair 17 or recirculating air 18, an air-mixing flap 19 for controllingthe mixture ratio of air heated by the heating heat exchanger 15 to airwhich is not heated and is guided past the heated heat exchanger, and aplurality of air-conditioning air ducts, specifically a defroster airduct 20, a ventilating air duct 21, a foot well air duct 22 and arear-compartment air duct (not shown). Each air duct 20, 21, 22 has atleast one associated air flap 20 a, 21 a, 22 a. These air flaps 20 a, 21a, 22 a and the recirculating-air flap 16 and the air-mixing flap 19 areactuated via actuators (not shown) which are activated by theair-conditioning control unit 1, by means of the control signals 9, asshown in FIG. 2. The air-conditioning control unit 1 uses the controlsignals 9 to also control the remaining components of theair-conditioning device so as to obtain the automatic control of the airconditioning. The speed of the air intake fan 12 and the air-mixing flap19 are automatically regulated in such a manner that the air temperaturein the vehicle interior reaches the prescribed desired value as quicklyas possible and then remains constant. The air-conditioning air ducts20, 21, 22 each have one or more outlet openings at which a respectivedischarge nozzle is arranged. The air-conditioning control unit 1processes the output signals of the above-specified sensory units 2 to5, 7, 8 and the two prescribed values 6 of the two control elements fromFIG. 3 and, as a function thereof, generates the appropriate controlsignals 9 for the automatic activation of the components of theair-conditioning device 10. This includes the control of the positionsof the vehicle openings, such as the sliding roof and, window openings,as well as control of the speed of the air-intake fan 12, and also thepositions of the recirculating-air flap 16, the air-mixing flap 19 andof the air flaps 20 a, 21 a, 22 a in the various air-conditioning ducts20 to 22, and in particular also of the positions of the variousair-guiding grates of the discharge nozzles in order to carry out theconditioning and distribution of the air to be supplied to the vehicleinterior in a manner which is correct for the situation. In order to setthe discharge direction with a manual adjustment by the control element31 of the air-guiding grates of one discharge nozzle, the adjustment ofthe air-guiding grates of the other discharge nozzle takes place in aconnected manner. In the case of a prescription which characterizes thedriver as draught-insensitive, the discharge directions of the left sidenozzle and of the central nozzle on the left are directed directly atthe driver. When prescribing the manipulated variables 9 of the vehicleair-conditioning device 10, in addition to the prescribed values 6, thestate of the vehicle at the starting up of the vehicle, and thepre-conditioning of the vehicle, is also taken into consideration.

FIG. 3 shows a control panel 32 for the air-conditioning device 10having two control elements 30, 31 which are designed here by way ofexample as sliding regulators. Each control element 30, 31 supplies aprescribed value for the air-conditioning control unit 1. The user caninput his desired comfort temperature at the upper control element 30.If he wishes it to be somewhat warmer, he slides the sliding regulatorto the right to +, and if he wants it to be somewhat cooler, he slidesthe regulator to the left to −. The draught sensitivity can be set atthe lower control element 31. In the case of low draught sensitivity,the user will slide the sliding regulator to the right, in the case ofhigh draught sensitivity, he will slide the sliding regulator to theleft. As described in FIG. 1, the two control elements 30, 31 eachsupply a prescribed value for the setting of the manipulated variable 9of the air-conditioning device 10. The air-conditioning control unit 1selects an automatic mode as a function of these two prescribed valuesand determines the setting of all of the manipulated variables 9 of theair-conditioning device 10. The operator then recognises a setting whichis optimum for him and may deviate from the basic setting of thevehicle. He will generally retain this setting which is optimum for himand will re-set it again after adjustment by another user.

In the case of a multi-zone air-conditioning system, separate controlpanels are provided for each zone. In order to satisfy the user's wisheseven better, a number of control panels can be provided for differentbody regions, or a selection function having a storage function can beprovided on a control panel. The user can use this selection functionfirstly to select the body region for which the control panel 32 isused. The user can then prescribe the setting for the selected bodyregion on the control panel.

In addition, a display device can be provided for the controlcharacteristics of the system includes the components of theair-conditioning system, the air ducts, the interior and the occupants.For example, with an LED which displays green if the system includingthe components of the air-conditioning system, the air ducts, theinterior and the occupant can be controlled, and displays red if thesystem can not be controlled. This warns the user if the prescribedvalues for comfort temperature and draught sensitivity cannot beachieved in this combination in the conditioning situation at theparticular moment (red colour). The user can therefore decide himselfwhether the setting for the comfort temperature or the draughtsensitivity is more important to him by, for example, changing one ofthe two control elements until the LED displays green again.

FIG. 4 shows a possible characteristic diagram for the setting of themanipulated variables 9 of the air-conditioning device 10. Thischaracteristic diagram determines the settings of the manipulatedvariables as a function of the prescribed values of the controlelements. Comfort temperature (thermal control element) and draughtsensitivity (draught control element) can be set via the controlelements as prescribed values. As an example, the three values+(strong), 0(normal) and −(light) have been selected. Intermediatevalues can also be set. In addition, five conditioning situations havebeen selected. A conditioning situation is determined via the values ofall of the sensors installed for this purpose in the vehicle including,for example, the inside and outside temperature sensor or the sunsensor. The air outlet temperature, the strength of the fan, the airdistribution to the nozzles and the discharge direction at the nozzles(active dischargers) are then set in accordance with the conditioningsituation and the setting of the two control elements—the comforttemperature and draught sensitivity.

The first case illustrated in the table of FIG. 4 is taken as anexample;

Conditioning situation: Overheating summer Comfort temperature: +Control element Draught sensitivity: − (insensitive) setting Air outlettemperature: low Strength of the fan: max Resulting Active dischargers:Face level automatic Discharge direction: Face setting

Overheating summer is defined, for example, by a high inside temperatureand a high outside temperature. However, other sensor values arelikewise used for the determination of the conditioning situation. Theuser sets the comfort temperature and his draught sensitivity, which isgenerally characteristic for each user irrespective of the particularconditioning situation, at the control element. The user selected in theexample feels comfortable at a comfort temperature above average (+) andis not draught-sensitive (−). The air outlet temperature is thereforeonly low and is not at the minimum value, and the strength of the fan ishigh. Since the user is not draught-sensitive, the dischargers in theface region are supplied with air and the discharge direction is aimeddirectly at the face. If, in contrast, the occupant weredraught-sensitive (+) in the same situation, then the nozzles would beset, also at a high fan power, in such a manner that the air brushespast the head, but the excess heat is nevertheless transported with ahigh air throughput and a lower air temperature out of the interior.Further cases according to which the manipulated variables are set arerecorded in the other lines of the table.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle air-conditioning device comprising: atleast one control element supplying a prescribed value to anair-conditioning control unit; a fan including outlet nozzles andactuators wherein a state of air flow is determined by air speed andlocation of air movement based on the output of said fan and whereinsaid state of air flow is further influenced by the distribution of airto said outlet nozzles, an outlet direction of the outlet nozzles andsaid actuators and wherein a thermal state of a vehicle is provided bythe distribution of temperature and radiation effect in an interior ofsaid vehicle; and wherein said at least one control element prescribes adetermined state of flow and a determined thermal state for an occupantof said vehicle wherein said determined state of flow providesdraught-sensitivity ranging from very draught-sensitive to notdraught-sensitive.
 2. The vehicle air-conditioning device according toclaim 1, further comprising multi-zone air-conditioning system separatecontrol panels with one of said panels being provided for each of arespective zone of said multi-zone system.
 3. The vehicleair-conditioning device according to claim 1, further including aplurality of control panels provided for settings for different bodyregions of said occupant.
 4. The vehicle air-conditioning deviceaccording to claim 1, including a control panel having said at least onecontrol element and a selection device for storing and selectingsettings for the different body regions of said occupants.
 5. Thevehicle air-conditioning device according to claim 1, further includinga display means for displaying control characteristics of the deviceincluding the control characteristics of components of the airconditioning device, the air ducts, the interior and occupants.
 6. Avehicle air-conditioning device comprising: at least one control elementsupplying a prescribed value to an air-conditioning control unit; a fanincluding outlet nozzles and actuators wherein a state of air flow isdetermined by air speed and location of air movement based on the outputof said fan and wherein said state of air flow is further influenced bythe distribution of air to said outlet nozzles, an outlet direction ofthe outlet nozzles and said actuators and wherein a thermal state of avehicle is provided by the distribution of temperature and radiationeffect in an interior of said vehicle; and wherein said at least onecontrol element prescribes a determined state of flow and a determinedthermal state for an occupant of said vehicle and; two control elementswhich prescribe the state of flow by draught-sensitivity and the thermalstate by comfort temperature with at least one automatic mode beingselected in accordance with both determined values of said two controlelements.
 7. A vehicle air-conditioning device comprising: at least onecontrol element supplying a prescribed value to an air-conditioningcontrol unit; a fan including outlet nozzles and actuators wherein astate of air flow is determined by air speed and location of airmovement based on the output of said fan and wherein said state of airflow is further influenced by the distribution of air to said outletnozzles, an outlet direction of the outlet nozzles and said actuatorsand wherein a thermal state of a vehicle is provided by the distributionof temperature and radiation effect in an interior of said vehicle; andwherein said at least one control element prescribes a determined stateof flow and a determined thermal state for an occupant of said vehiclewherein distribution of the air-conditioned air to said outlet nozzleand the air-conditioning outlet is set by the determined values ofcomfort temperature and draught-sensitivity.
 8. A vehicleair-conditioning device comprising: at least one control elementsupplying a prescribed value to an air-conditioning control unit; a fanincluding outlet nozzles and actuators wherein a state of air flow isdetermined by air speed and location of air movement based on the outputof said fan and wherein said state of air flow is further influenced bythe distribution of air to said outlet nozzles, an outlet direction ofthe outlet nozzles and said actuators and wherein a thermal state of avehicle is provided by the distribution of temperature and radiationeffect in an interior of said vehicle; and wherein said at least onecontrol element prescribes a determined state of flow and a determinedthermal state for an occupant of said vehicle wherein, in order to set adischarged direction with a manual adjustment of air-guiding plates ofone of said discharge nozzles, adjustments of air-guiding plates ofother ones of said discharge nozzles takes place in a connected manner.9. A vehicle air-conditioning device comprising: at least one controlelement supplying a prescribed value to an air-conditioning controlunit; a fan including outlet nozzles and actuators wherein a state ofair flow is determined by air speed and location of air movement basedon the output of said fan and wherein said state of air flow is furtherinfluenced by the distribution of air to said outlet nozzles, an outletdirection of the outlet nozzles and said actuators and wherein a thermalstate of a vehicle is provided by the distribution of temperature andradiation effect in an interior of said vehicle; and wherein said atleast one control element prescribes a determined state of flow and adetermined thermal state for an occupant of said vehicle wherein thedetermined values of the comfort temperature and draught-sensitivityprescribe manipulated variables for openings of said vehicle.
 10. Thevehicle air-conditioning device according to claim 9, wherein theprescribed manipulated variable are a function of pre-conditioning ofthe vehicle startup of the vehicle and the determined values of comforttemperature and draught-sensitivity.